STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS FOR PUBLICATION July 31, 2001 9:05 a.m. v No. 227682 Ingham Circuit Court ADAM PETER RAHILLY, LC No. 97-071504-FH v No. 229762 Washtenaw Circuit Court DANIEL HARNS, LC No. 95-004608-FH v No. 229829 Macomb Circuit Court TIMOTHY MICHAEL STANLEY, LC No. 99-000304-FH Before: Holbrook, Jr., P.J., and Hood and Griffin, JJ. HOOD, J. -1-
In these consolidated appeals, the prosecution appeals by leave granted from the trial courts orders removing or exempting defendants from the registration provisions of the Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA), MCL 28.721 et seq.; MSA 4.457(1) et seq. We reverse. In docket no. 227682, defendant Adam Peter Rahilly pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520e; MSA 28.788(5) (contact). The complainant and defendant were college students. Defendant asked the complainant if he could kiss her, and she said no. Defendant touched the complainant s breast. The complainant fell asleep with defendant behind her. When she woke up, defendant was on top of the complainant and digitally penetrated her. Defendant stated that he had been drinking and did not recall the incident. Defendant was sentenced to twenty-four months probation pursuant to the Holmes Youthful Training Act (HYTA), MCL 762.11 et seq.; MSA 28.853(11). Defendant registered with SORA. After he successfully completed the terms of his probation, defendant filed a motion to have his name removed from SORA. The trial court granted the motion. In docket no. 239762, defendant Daniel Harns pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520e; MSA 28.788(5), and indecent exposure, MCL 750.335a; MSA 28.567(1). Defendant exposed himself to several girls under the age of six years old at his parents home where his mother ran a baby-sitting service. Additionally, defendant removed the clothing of a 4 ½ year old girl and touched her vagina. Following the completion of ten months on electronic tether and three years on probation pursuant to HYTA status, defendant moved for an exemption from registration with SORA, and the trial court granted the motion. In docket no. 229829, defendant Timothy Michael Stanley pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520e; MSA 28.788(5) and aggravated assault, MCL 750.81a; MSA 28.276(1). Defendant grabbed the complainant s hand and forced it onto his genitals, then assaulted the complainant s boyfriend. Defendant was sentenced to six months probation on HYTA status. The trial court granted defendant s motion to exempt him from registration with SORA. We granted the prosecution s applications for leave to appeal and consolidated the appeals. The prosecution argues that there is no provision for removal from the SORA based on the participation in and completion of HYTA requirements. We agree. Statutory interpretation presents a question of law that we review de novo. People v Nimeth, 236 Mich App 616, 620; 601 NW2d 393 (1999). When resolving disputed interpretations of statutory language, it is the function of the reviewing court to effectuate the legislative intent. People v Valentin, 457 Mich 1, 5; 577 NW2d 73 (1998). When the language of the statute is clear, the Legislature intended the meaning plainly expressed, and the statute must be enforced as written. Id. We presume that every word has some meaning and must avoid any construction that would render any part of the statute surplusage or nugatory. People v Borchard-Ruhland, 460 Mich 278, 285; 597 NW2d 1 (1999). The Legislature is presumed to be aware of and legislate in harmony with existing laws when enacting new laws. Walen v Dep t of Corrections, 443 Mich 240, 248; 505 NW2d 519 (1993). The omission of a provision from one part of a statute that is included in another part of a statute must be construed as intentional. That is, we cannot assume that the Legislature inadvertently omitted from one statute the language that it placed in another statute, and then, on the basis of that assumption, apply what is not there. Farrington v Total Petroleum, Inc, 442-2-
Mich 201, 210; 501 NW2d 76 (1993). Two statutes that relate to the same subject or share a common purpose are in pari materia and must be read together. People v Webb, 458 Mich 265, 274; 580 NW2d 884 (1998). The goal of the in pari materia rule is to give effect to the legislative purpose found in the harmonious statutes. Id. When two statutes lend themselves to a construction that avoids conflict, that construction should control. Id. The Holmes Youthful Training Act (HYTA), MCL 762.11 et seq.; MSA 28.853(11), provides a mechanism for individuals who commit certain crimes between the time of their seventeenth and twenty-first birthdays to be excused from having a criminal record. People v Bobek 217 Mich App 524, 529; 553 NW2d 18 (1996), citing People v Dolgorukov, 191 Mich App 38, 39; 477 NW2d 118 (1991). Pursuant to MCL 762.11; MSA 28.853(11), an individual within the restricted age range may plead guilty to a specified offense, and the court having jurisdiction may assign the individual to the status of youthful trainee. Once assigned to the status of youthful trainee, the court may commit the individual to custodial supervision for not more than three years in a specially designated department of corrections facility, place the individual on probation for not more than three years, or commit the individual to the county jail for not more than one year. MCL 762.13; MSA 28.853 (13). Thus, the individual assigned to youthful trainee status is nonetheless punished for the crime committed. The individual assigned to the youthful trainee status derives a benefit from the status if he successfully completes the punishment imposed. MCL 762.14; MSA 28.853(14) provides in relevant part: (1) If consideration of an individual as a youthful trainee is not terminated and the status of youthful trainee is not revoked as provided in section 12 of this chapter [762.12], upon final release of the individual from the status as youthful trainee, the court shall discharge the individual and dismiss the proceedings. (2) An assignment of an individual to the status of youthful trainee as provided in this chapter is not a conviction for a crime and [ ], except as provided in subsection (3), the individual assigned to the status of youthful trainee shall not suffer a civil disability or loss of right or privilege following his or her release from that status because of his or her assignment as a youthful trainee. *** (4) Unless the court enters a judgment of conviction against the individual for the criminal offense under section 12 of this chapter, all proceedings regarding the disposition of the criminal charge and the individual s assignment as youthful trainee shall be closed to public inspection, but shall be open to the courts of this state, the department of corrections, the department of social services, and law enforcement personnel for use only in the performance of their duties. In 1994, our Legislature enacted SORA that required convicted sex offenders to register with local law enforcement agencies. People v Pennington, 240 Mich App 188, 191; 610 NW2d 608 (2000). In 1999, SORA was amended. It continued to provide a database for law enforcement officers to track the whereabouts of sexual offenders. However, it expanded the notification provisions to allow public access to information regarding sex offenders. Id.; MCL 28.728(2); MSA 4.475(8)(2). Specifically, the public could utilize SORA to identify registered -3-
sex offenders by zip code that revealed the name of the offender, address, physical description and the offense involved or search SORA by name of offender. Id. The Legislature amended HYTA to account for the creation of SORA. Specifically, MCL 762.14(3); MSA 28.853(14)(3) provides: An individual assigned to youthful trainee status for a listed offense enumerated in section 2 of the sex offenders registration act is required to comply with the requirements of that act. Additionally, while MCL 762.14(2); MSA 28.853(14)(2) provides that an individual assigned to youthful trainee status does not result in a conviction, for purposes of SORA, youthful trainee status, in fact, constitutes a conviction. MCL 28.722(a)(ii); MSA 4.475(2)(a)(ii) defines convicted as [b]eing assigned to youthful trainee status under sections 11 to 15 of chapter II of the code or criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 762.12 to 762.15. In fact, MCL 28.724(5); MSA 4.475(4)(5) provides that the sentencing court may not enter an order of disposition or assign an individual to youthful trainee status until it determines that the individual registered with local law enforcement, sheriff s department, or the department of state police. Once registered, the individual must comply with SORA for a period of twenty-five years following the date of the initial registration or for ten years following the release from a state correctional facility, whichever is longer. MCL 28.725(6); MSA 4.475(5)(6). In accordance with the above cited rules regarding statutory construction, we presume that the Legislature was aware of HYTA when it enacted SORA. Walen, supra. In this case, the presumption is buttressed by the fact that each statutory act references the other. Despite the plainly expressed language of the statutes requiring registration by individuals with HYTA status, the trial courts ordered the removal or exempted defendants names from SORA. The trial courts concluded that compliance with SORA led to absurd results and deprived defendants of the second chance offered by HYTA. While some case law provides that statutes should be construed to prevent absurd results, injustice, or prejudice to the public interest, People v Stephan, 241 Mich App 482, 497; 616 NW2d 188 (2000) citing McAuley v General Motors Corp, 457 Mich 513, 518; 578 NW2d 282 (1998); cf. People v McIntire, 461 Mich 147, 155-160; 599 NW2d 102 (1999) (rejecting the absurd result mode of statutory construction ), a sex offender s compliance with both SORA and HYTA does not lead to absurd results. If an individual successfully completes HYTA status, the court shall discharge the individual and dismiss the proceedings. MCL 762.14(1); MSA 28.853(14)(1). Despite having committed a crime, the individual is not deemed as having been convicted of a crime for purposes of the code of criminal procedure. MCL 762.14(2); MSA 28.853(14)(2). Thus, the individual derives a benefit from HYTA status. For example, the individual, for purposes of providing a history in applying for employment, need not list the offense as a conviction. However, the Legislature has concluded that law enforcement agencies and the public should, nonetheless, continue to be apprised of the individual s whereabouts for purposes of tracking the offender and for the safety of the public. Thus, the individual is still provided a benefit by having HYTA status, but is not excused from the registration procedures of the SORA. This interpretation, in accordance with the plain, expressed language of the two statutes, does not lead to absurd results, but rather -4-
indicates that the public interest is paramount to full suppression of the information surrounding the individual s offense and his current location. Webb, supra. Defendants argue that registration with SORA should be limited to the time necessary to complete the terms of the sentence imposed until discharged from youthful trainee status. This construction is contrary to the plain language of the statutes. MCL 762.14(3); MSA 28,853(14)(3) provides that registration shall occur in accordance with the procedures set forth in SORA. SORA provides that the term of the registration shall occur for twenty-five years from the time or registration or ten years following release from a state correctional facility, whichever is longer. MCL 28.725(6); MSA 4.475(5)(6). There is no exception to this time frame for youthful trainee status. We cannot assume that this was an inadvertent omission by the Legislature. Farrington, supra. Accordingly, defendants argument is without merit. Reversed and remanded. We do not retain jurisdiction. /s/ Harold Hood /s/ Richard Allen Griffin -5-
STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS FOR PUBLICATION July 31, 2001 v No. 227682 LC No. 97-071504-FH ADAM PETER RAHILLY, v No. 239762 LC No. 95-004608-FH DANIEL HARNS, v No. 229829 LC No. 99-000304-FH TIMOTHY MICHAEL STANLEY, Before: Holbrook, Jr., P.J., and Hood and Griffin, JJ. HOLBROOK, JR., P.J. (dissenting). I respectfully dissent. This case centers on how to read two related legislative enactments: the Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA), MCL 28.721 et seq., and the Holmes -1-
Youthful Training Act (HYTA), MCL 762.11 et seq. The majority concludes that a sex offender s compliance with both SORA and HYTA does not lead to absurd results. Ante, p 6. I agree. However, I disagree with the manner in which the majority has reconciled the two. In particular, I believe that the majority s construction of the SORA is not in accord with the express language and the legislative policy of the HYTA. Although not specifically stated by the majority, I presume it found an ambiguity justifying the application of the rules of statutory construction, particularly the doctrine of in pari materia. Tyler v Livonia Public Schools, 459 Mich 382, 392; 590 NW2d 560 (1999)(observing that the interpretive aid of the doctrine of in pari materia can only be utilized in a situation where the section of the statute under examination is itself ambiguous ). I agree that such an ambiguity exists. In my opinion, the ambiguity emanates from the SORA s definition of the term, convicted. MCL 28.722(a)(ii) defines convicted to include [b]eing assigned to youthful trainee status under sections 11 to 15 of chapter II of the code of criminal procedure.... However, section 14 of HYTA specifically states that the assignment of an individual to the status of youthful trainee as provided in this chapter is not a conviction for a crime.... MCL 762.14(2). From both the perspective of the Legislature and the public, the two acts are in pari materia with each other. 2B Sutherland, Statutory Construction (6 th ed., 2000), 51.01, p 172. Accordingly, since we have been called upon to construe the two, we should let our reading of the acts be informed by this understanding. The doctrine of in pari materia provides that statues that seem to be in conflict should be construed to be in harmony if reasonably possible. Id. at 51.02, p 191 (footnote omitted). Accord Klein v Franks, 111 Mich App 316, 322; 314 NW2d 602 (1982). It is often stated that statutes must be read so as to prevent absurd results. See, e.g., People v Stephan, 241 Mich App 482, 497; 616 NW2d 188 (2000). It is also true that when harmonizing two apparently conflicting statutes, each should be given effect if such can be done without repugnance, absurdity, or unreasonableness. Natsch v Southfield, 154 Mich App 317, 322; 397 NW2d 294 (1986). Further, a new statutory provision is presumed in accord with the legislative policy embodied in previous statues related to the same subject matter. Sutherland, supra at 51.02, pp 176-178. The HYTA is a remedial statutory scheme designed to give those who successfully complete the assigned punishment a second chance free from all taint associated with conviction. People v Bobek, 217 Mich App 524, 529; 553 NW2d 18 (1996). This wiping clean of the slate of youthful offenders evidences a legislative desire that persons in the [specified]... age group not be stigmatized with criminal records for unreflective and immature acts. People v Perkins, 107 Mich App 440, 444; 309 NW2d 634 (1981). In order to facilitate this goal, the HYTA mandates that all proceedings regarding the disposition of the criminal charge... shall be closed to public inspection.... MCL 762.14(4). Conversely, and for laudable reasons, the SORA is designed to place on public display the identities of persons who have been convicted of certain criminal sexual offenses. Rather than hoping to avoid tainting an individual with their criminal history, the SORA pins the ignominious badge sex offender on those who are required to register under the terms of the act. -2-
Unlike the majority, I believe that requiring a former youthful trainee to register as a sex offender for years following successful release from that status undermines the goals of the HYTA. The fact that one who is successfully released from the status of youthful trainee need not list the offense as a conviction when applying for a job, ante, p 6, seems like a hollow benefit if he or she is at the same time required to be registered as a sex offender pursuant to the SORA. It would be easy enough for a prospective employer to access the established Internet web site and discover the applicant s history. Knowing this, would not an applicant be wise to simply list the offense on his or her application and thus avoid the added problem of having the potential employer feel as if the applicant was being untruthful and attempting to hide a criminal past? Or, should the applicant wait for discovery and hope that the employer will be satisfied with an explanation on how the applicant is not considered to have been convicted on one hand, but is considered to have been convicted on the other? The promise that a criminal record would be expunged and a slate wiped clean is a substantial incentive for those to whom the HYTA applies to plead guilty. Many such individuals have entered into such a plea bargain in order to be excused from having a criminal record. Bobek, supra at 528-529. I believe the majority s opinion eviscerates the benefits of such a course of action for those charged with having committed those sexual offenses listed in section 2 of the SORA. I believe the SORA and the HYTA can be read in a manner that effectuates the goals of each. The definition of convicted in MCL 28.722 is written in the present tense. It does not indicate that the individual had been assigned to youthful trainee status. Rather, it states that convicted means [b]eing assigned to youthful trainee status.... (Emphasis added.) The use of the present tense indicates that once the individual is no longer assigned to youthful trainee status, then the individual would no longer be considered convicted for purposes of the SORA. Under this reading of the statutory language, such an individual would be required to register during the duration of their youthful trainee status, but that requirement would end once the individual was released from that status after successfully completing the assigned program. This is in keeping with the language of MCL 762.14(2) and (3), which, also in the present tense, refer to a youthful trainee s obligations and rights vis-à-vis the SORA. MCL 762.14(2) states that except as provided in subsection (3), the individual assigned to the status of youthful trainee shall not suffer a civil disability or loss of right or privilege following his or her release from that status because of his or her assignment as a youthful trainee. The last antecedent rule of statutory construction posits that [r]eferential and qualifying words or phrases, where no contrary intention appears, refer solely to the last antecedent. 2A Sutherland, supra at 47.33, p 369. Applying this rule of construction to subsection 14(2), the phrase civil disability stands on its own, and the phrase following his or her release from that status modifies only the last antecedent, which in this case is the phrase loss of right or privilege. There are no commas separating the qualifying phrase that would indicate it applies to all preceding antecedents. See Spears v Indiana, 412 NE2d 81, 82-83 (1980)( Where commas set off a modifying phrase it is evidence that the phrase was intended to apply to all principles instead of only the one adjacent to it. ); 2A Sutherland, supra at 47.33, p 373 ( Evidence that a qualifying phrase is supposed to apply to all antecedents instead of only to the immediately preceding one may be found in the fact that it is separated from the antecedent by a comma. [footnote omitted]). -3-
Thus, I read subsection 14(2) as indicating that the civil disability that the youthful trainee must suffer pursuant to the SORA is the requirement that the trainee comply with the requirements of that act while assigned to youthful trainee status for a listed offense under section 12 of SORA. MCL 762.14(3). The use of the present tense in the phrase assigned to youthful trainee status indicates that once released from that status, the former trainee is no longer required to suffer the civil disability, i.e., no longer being assigned to youthful trainee status, the requirement to comply with the SORA is lifted. Harmonizing the two acts in this fashion does not lead to an absurd or unjust result. However, I agree with the courts below that to require these three defendants to comply with the SORA even though they have successfully completed their youthful trainee status would lead to an absurd result that is not in accord with the plain language and legislative goals of the HTYA. Further, I believe that when reading the SORA s definition of convicted, we should be mindful of why a definition including HYTA youthful trainees is needed in the first place. A person who successfully completes youthful trainee status will not be considered to have been convicted of a crime.... People v Trinity, 189 Mich App 19, 21; 471 NW2d 626 (1991). Indeed, the procedure outlined in the HYTA precludes the entry of a judgment of conviction prior to assignment of an individual to youthful trainee status. MCL 762.11 (observing that the court has the discretion, without entering a judgment of conviction, to assign an individual to the status of youthful trainee). Rather, the HYTA sets up rehabilitative procedures prior to conviction on the petition of the affected youth. People Bandy, 35 Mich App 53, 58; 192 NW2d 115 (1971) (emphasis added). In other words, the HYTA sets up an administrative procedure within criminal procedure that interrupts the course of criminal proceedings in an attempt to rehabilitate the youth involved. Id. In the event that the attempt to rehabilitate... fails and [the trainee s]... status is revoked, 12... reinstates the criminal procedure at the point where it was interrupted.... Id. at 59. I also believe that the majority s position opens up the SORA to due process challenges. This is not a situation where a convicted sex offender is attempting to limit widespread exposure of that information which is already public.... Akella v Michigan Dep t of State Police, 67 F Supp 2d 716, 730 (1999). For one thing, once the youthful trainee successfully completes his or her program, the trainee s record is closed to public inspection. Trinity, supra at 21. More importantly, as noted above, a final adjudication of guilt is never entered in such situations. For these reasons, I would affirm the action taken in each trial court. /s/ Donald E. Holbrook, Jr. -4-